Character and grit key as St David’s claims back-to-back Vides titles
The St David’s Marist Inanda water polo team made history on Saturday after claiming their second-straight Vides Water Polo Tournament title in East London.
The boys from Johannesburg downed Paul Roos Gimnasium (PRG) 9-8 in a hotly contested final.
The annual tournament, which celebrated its 50th edition this year, ran from Thursday at Selborne College‘s main pool and Clarendon‘s Aquatic Centre.
St David’s defeated St Andrew’s College in last year’s final to clinch the title for the first time. They were favoured to go all the way once again in 2026.
Drawn in Pool C, coach Dean Whyte‘s troops constructed a splendid campaign, dominating their group games before grinding their way past their opponents in the knockout stages of the tournament.
They rattled off three comprehensive victories to finish top of their pool, defeating Paarl Boys’ High 9-3, Glenwood House 16-7, and Grey High School 10-5.
In the quarterfinals, St David’s met St Andrew’s in a repeat of the 2025 final and had to work hard for an 8-6 win over the boys from Makhanda.
That victory set up a semifinal meeting with Michaelhouse. It was a closely contested affair, but St David’s reigned supreme, winning 10-6.
While the Johannesburg school punched its ticket to the final, PRG took on Wynberg Boys’ High in the other semifinal.
In a low-scoring contest, coach Vaughn Marlow‘s got the better of their Western Cape counterparts, with a 6-3 win sealing their spot in the title game.
The final had it all – suspense, drama, and moments of magic.
St David’s made a bright start and raced into a 5-1 lead after the first chukka thanks to goals by Matthew Peacock, Cooper Haworth, David Latilla-Campbell, and a brace by Danilo Giuricich.
PRG, though, won the second chukka 2-0, with strikes by James Swart and Ben van Zyl cutting the deficit to 5-3 at the break.
The second half was end-to-end stuff as PRG fought their way back into the match. Swart completed his hat-trick before Andrew Reynold scored, and Johnty Coolen levelled matters at 6-6.
Luke Laporte replied to put St David’s one goal ahead heading into the final chukka before Darien Salovy and Giuricich extended the lead to 9-6.
PRG kept fighting, though, and Swart netted twice, but it wasn’t quite enough, and St David’s held on for the win.
“It was a really tough tournament. I’m super proud of the boys. They were amazing and worked hard,” coach Whyte told SuperSport Schools Plus.
“They have a good internal drive to produce and step it up when it matters. To win the tournament again is incredible.”
Whyte admitted his boys felt some pressure heading into the tournament as the defending champions.
“That label did put pressure on us,” he said. “A lot of people have now marked St David’s on the radar, and guys see that we are a contending water polo school.
“It was difficult shifting the mindset because in previous years we were underdogs, but now we’re up there on the mark, so maturity from the boys was key.”
Several components of the game were key to St David’s successful title defence: they were clinical in front of goal, solid defensively, and punished teams when the opportunities presented themselves.
Coach Whyte said he was also impressed with how some of his players rose to the occasion.
“What was really nice was developing another layer of attack. We chose our options wisely, and the teams mitigated our weaknesses, but we had to dig deep.
“There were some moments of brilliance and perfect executions. It feels good going through a tournament undefeated, but kudos to the other schools because they made it hard.
“Our defence was also incredible. Dylan Wiggil in goal is unbelievable. He’s the best goalkeeper in the country, in my opinion. I also think our youngsters stepped up well.
“I want to highlight my second seven because they were incredible and gave the big names time to rest so they could implement properly. Overall, it was a great team effort.”
Coach Whyte and his guns will return to action on Thursday in the KES Night League.
After that, they’ll pursue a second piece of silverware at the KES Water Polo Tournament later this month.
Day 4 Results
St Alban’s (2) 4-4 (3) Stirling High
St Andrew’s College 7-4 Selborne College
Paarl Boys’ High 8-4 Selborne Collegians
Reddam Constantia (5) 9-9 (4) Grey High
Glenwood House 13-3 Grey College
St David’s 10-6 Michaelhouse
Woodridge College 7-6 Pearson
Paul Roos 6-3 Wynberg Boys’ High
St Alban’s 14-9 Selborne Collegians
Stirling High 8-6 Paarl Boys’
Grey College (4) 4- 4 (3) Pearson High
Woodridge College 10-8 Glenwood House (Plate final)
Grey High (5) 9- 9 (4) Selborne College (7th/8th playoff)
St Andrew’s College 11-9 Reddam House (5th/6th playoff)
Wynberg 5-3 Michaelhouse (3rd/4th playoff)
St David’s Marist 9-8 Paul Roos (Final)
Final standings
St David’s Marist Inanda
Paul Roos
Wynberg Boys’ High
Michaelhouse
St Andrew’s College
Reddam House Constantia
Grey High
Selborne College
Woodridge College
Glenwood House
Grey College
Pearson High
Stirling
Paarl Boys’ High
St Alban’s College
Selborne Collegians
